EXCLUSIVE — District 150 students will return to classes next week after the holiday break under a different security dynamic — without any school resource officers on staff able to exercise police powers.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board deactivated Peoria Public School District 150’s police force just before Christmas, according to a letter sent from that agency to Peoria County State’s Attorney Jerry Brady.

The letter, dated Dec. 23 and signed by ILETSB legal counsel John Keigher, additionally stated that the district’s police officers had been “administratively separated” and that the ILETSB was working with the school district to convert the police force into campus security.

“Since they are deactivated, the individual law enforcement officers do not have certification,” Brady said.

It was not immediately clear what effect, if any, the conversion to a campus security group could have on operations inside Peoria schools, but it will mean some changes for Peoria police in the immediate future.

City Manager Patrick Urich said he spoke with District 150 Superintendent Grenita Lathan on Friday and agreed to commit police resources to the district during the transition to a security force.

“We’ve been made aware of the situation by the school district,” Urich said. “In this period of uncertainty … we’ve offered our assistance to the school district to help in any way that we can, including having officers present in the high schools if needed.”

District 150 spokesman Chris Coplan did not respond to a message seeking comment Friday, nor did Monica Wilson, a school resource officer who has previously spoken on behalf of the union that represents the officers, Policeman’s Benevolent Protective Association Local 114.

The technical definition of school resource officers’ powers has been a subject of contention in the last year that ultimately was decided by the Illinois Supreme Court. The district prevailed when it contested a legislative amendment that redefined its officers from educational employees to peace officers.

It was not known Friday what role that determination may have played in the deactivation, nor what factors were considered in the decision.

The ILETSB develops and provides training, sets standards, helps create training facilities and provides financial assistance in furtherance of those goals, according to a description of its responsibilities online.

Matt Buedel can be reached at 686-3154 or mbuedel@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @JournoBuedel.